Senior Employment Counsel

We’re seeking a Senior Employment Counsel to join Skydio’s world-class Legal team to own employment legal matters for the Company. This is a special opportunity to build and scale the employment-law function at a company operating at the intersection of robotics, AI, manufacturing, public safety, defense, commercial, and aviation. You will advise on issues that span corporate teams, manufacturing operations, field operations, and international expansion. The role is director-level reporting to the General Counsel. It demands deep general legal acumen across employment law–from counseling People Operations on hourly manufacturing worker matters to helping set up foreign subsidiaries–and the humility to know when to call for backup.

Responsibilities

Be the primary legal partner for the People Operations team, owning day-to-day employment counseling while managing outside counsel on specialized, high-risk, or international matters; Anticipate employment-law risks early and address them pragmatically; Provide People Operations clear, scalable guidance on recruitment/pre-hire issues, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, investigations, wage and hour, performance management, HR policy, and separations; Ensure manufacturing, field operations, and corporate employment practices are consistent, compliant, safe, and operationally realistic; Handle administrative agency (e.g. EEOC and DOL) and pre-litigation employment matters; Draft and comment on training and provide select training to people leaders; Assist in the development and documentation of sales commission and other incentive compensation plans; Responsible for OFCCP compliance reports and similar filings; Advise Benefits on compliance with relevant law and review and provide comments on contracts for company benefits; Own employment related aspects of setting up foreign subsidiaries; Negotiate contracts (including DPAs) with contractors, recruiting organizations, HR vendors, and similar orgs; Assist in drafting and updating the Employee Handbook; Assist in administering and managing employee equity; Oversee HR and payroll audits as needed; Manage other projects as required or assigned (even if they aren’t in your wheelhouse)

Requirements

JD and admitted to practice in California; 10+ years of in-house experience (or similar law firm experience providing advice and counsel to startups); Experience advising companies with hourly employees, especially in California manufacturing; Must be able to work onsite at least 3 days per week: at least 2 days at our Hayward manufacturing site and at least 1 day at our HQ in San Mateo; Ability to triage and ruthlessly prioritize; Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, maintaining ownership and a high standard of accuracy and follow-through; Thrive in collaborative settings; Comfortable with ambiguity, eager to problem solve, and take the initiative to drive projects to completion

Benefits

Equity in the form of stock options; Comprehensive benefits packages; Group health insurance; Paid vacation time; Sick leave; Holiday pay; 401K savings plan; Relocation assistance may be provided for eligible roles